Hospital bed communication and control device

ABSTRACT

A communication and control device for attachment to the head end of a hospital bed for positioning a voice activated communication and control module adjacent a patient&#39;s head.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/650,526, filed Aug. 30, 2000, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/778,961, filed Jan.6, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,868, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 08/409,940, filed Mar. 23, 1995, now U.S.Pat. No. 5,592,153, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 07/984,208, filed Nov. 30, 1992, now abandoned. The disclosuresof the above-referenced patents and patent applications are expresslyincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to communication and controldevices, and more particularly to a communication and control deviceadapted to be used in conjunction with a hospital bed for activating anyone of a number of functions such as bed adjust, mattress adjust, nursecall, room light, reading light, TV and phone.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] There are many types of devices in the health care industry whichallow a patient situated atop a hospital bed to activate a number ofcommunication and control functions, such as adjust bed, adjustmattress, call nurse, room light, reading light, TV and phone. One suchdevice is located in the hospital bed sideguard, as disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 4,183,015 assigned to the assignee of the present invention.Another such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,790, whichdiscloses a bedside control module which may be releasably attached to ahospital bed siderail. These and other prior art devices generallyemploy one or more pushbutton or pressure sensitive type switches toactivate the various communication and control functions. A commoncriticism of these types of devices is that a fairly high degree ofmanual dexterity is required by a patient in order to properly activatethese devices. Accordingly, their application is relatively limited.

[0004] Various types of voice recognition systems have been developedwhich further tend to reduce or eliminate the need for relying on theactivation of pushbutton or pressure sensitive type switches to providefor “hands free” operation of some types of equipment. In these types ofsystems, electronics are “trained” to “learn” to associate certainfunctions with a user's verbal commands, and to carry out or performthose functions upon subsequently receiving the learned verbal commands.Due to the sensitivity of such voice recognition systems, prior artcommunication and control devices such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,183,015 and 4,680,790 are generally ill-suited for use inconjunction therewith. For example, such prior art devices are notgenerally located adjacent to the patient's head when the patient issituated atop a hospital bed when the communication and control deviceis either an integral part of or removably secured to the bed sideguard.If the communication and control device is of the type which is locatednear the head end of the hospital bed, it is generally simply pinned tothe mattress on one side or the other of the patient's head, anddepending on the particular condition of the patient, the patient maynot be able to turn his/her head toward the device in order to speakclearly into the device, thus making such devices ill-suited for voicerecognition systems as well.

[0005] Other voice recognition devices are known which take the form ofeither a box which would rest upon a bedside table, or a headset typedevice which would be worn by the patient. Of these types of devices,the former suffers the drawback that the device is prone to beinginadvertently activated by ambient noise as the device must have a highdegree of audio sensitivity since it is not located closely adjacent apatient's head. The latter suffers the obvious drawback of having to beworn by a patient, which creates discomfort, etc.

[0006] Other types of bedside devices have been developed for moreseverely disabled patients who suffer both speech and motor disabilitiesand who, as a consequence, are not able to manipulate push-button typedevices or use speech recognition devices. These include so-called “sipand puff” devices where a patient alternately sucks from and blows intoa straw type device to generate electrical signals; pillow type switcheswherein a patient rocks his/her head to one side to activate the switchwithin the pillow; tongue activated devices; and even eyebrow activateddevices which are adhered directly to a patient's skin adjacent theeyebrow and which are activated upon a patient's raising or loweringhis/her eyebrows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with the stated objectives of the presentinvention, the present invention is a communication and control devicefor use on a hospital bed which comprises a voice recognitioncommunication and control module for activating at least one of aplurality of communication and control functions upon sensing thepatient's voice, and arm means connected to the module and adapted to beconnected to the hospital bed for positioning the module adjacent to thehead of the patient situated atop the bed. The communication and controlfunctions activatable by the module illustratively include adjusting theheight, configuration and orientation of the hospital bed, adjusting themattress atop the bed, nurse call, room light, reading light, TV andphone. The module of the communication and control device furtherillustratively includes an alpha numeric display.

[0008] In accordance with other features of the present invention, thecommunication and control device comprises a first arm segment havingfirst and second ends, mechanism for removably securing the first armsegment to a hospital bed, a second arm segment having first and secondends, a first articulating joint connecting the second end of the firstarm segment to the first end of the second arm segment, a third flexiblearm segment having first and second ends, the first end being connectedto the second end of the second arm segment, a communication and controlmodule for activating at least one of a plurality of communication andcontrol functions and a second articulating joint connecting thecommunication and control module to the second end of the third flexiblearm segment.

[0009] The communication and control device of the present inventionfurther illustratively includes a third articulating joint connectingthe first arm segment to the removably securing mechanism for allowingthe first arm segment to rotate relative to the removably securingmechanism about an axis which is generally parallel to a longitudinaldimension of the bed.

[0010] The first articulating joint of the present inventionillustratively allows the second arm segment to rotate relative to thefirst arm segment about two axes, one of which is generallyperpendicular to the first arm segment and generally parallel to a planedefined by the head end portion of the bed, the other of which isgenerally collinear with the longitudinal axis of the first arm segment.

[0011] The second articulating joint illustratively allows thecommunication and control module to rotate relative to the thirdflexible arm segment about an axis which is generally collinear with alongitudinal axis of the third flexible arm segment.

[0012] The removably securing mechanism of the communication and controldevice of the present invention illustratively takes the form of firstand second coupling members in the form of a plate and a hook, and adrawlatch for effecting relative movement between the first and secondcoupling members for connection of the coupling members to a hospitalbed.

[0013] Electrical transmission wire travels from the first end of thefirst arm segment through the first, second and third arm segments tothe module for sending electrical signals from the communication andcontrol module to various electrical devices. The first articulatingjoint allows this wire to be substantially contained within the firstarticulating joint where the wire spans from the first arm member to thesecond arm member. To do so, the articulating joint comprises arotatable collar connected to one of the first and second arm members,and a pair of hubs connected to the other of the first and second armmembers for rotational connection to the collar, the collar including acircumferential slot for accommodating movement of the wire as the firstand second arm members are rotated relative to one another, whereby thefirst and second arm members may be rotated relative to one anotherwithout the electrical transmission wire having to be located externalto the joint.

[0014] These and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill become more readily apparent during the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the drawings herein, in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hospital bed outfitted with acommunication and control device according to the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the communication and controldevice of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 3 is the front view of the communication and control moduleof the device of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a hospital bed being readilyretrofitted with a communication and control device of the presentinvention;

[0019]FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 illustrating the position ofthe hospital bed headboard in conjunction with the communication andcontrol device and interface box of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the interface box which supportsthe communication and control device of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view in partialcross-section of the means for removably securing the arm to a hospitalbed and of the articulating joint means permitting rotation of the firstarm segment relative to the removably securing means;

[0022]FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the articulating jointmeans permitting relative rotation of the second arm member relative tothe first arm member;

[0023]FIG. 9 is an enlarged side elevational view in partialcross-section illustrating the articulating joint means of FIG. 8;

[0024]FIG. 9A is a view similar to FIG. 9 illustrating the second armrotated to its extreme positions; and

[0025]FIG. 10 is a view taken along line 10-10 of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] With reference first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a hospitalbed 1, a patient 2 situated atop the bed 1, and the communication andcontrol device of the present invention indicated generally by thenumeral 3 secured to the bed 1 for use by the patient 2. With referenceto FIG. 2, the device 3 is shown in side elevation. The device 3includes, generally, a first arm segment 5, a mechanism 6 for removablysecuring the first arm segment 5 to a hospital bed 1, an articulatingjoint 7 which allows the first arm segment 5 to rotate with respect tothe securing mechanism 6 and hence the bed 1, second arm segment 8, anarticulating joint 9 connecting the first and second arm segment 5, 8respectively and allowing for relative rotation therebetween, a thirdarm segment 10 connected to the second arm segment 8, a communicationand control module 11 for activating one of a plurality of communicationand control functions, and an articulating joint 12 connecting themodule 11 to the third arm segment 10. The first, second, and third armsegments 5, 8, and 10 and articulating joints 7, 9, 12 comprise an armor articulating arm assembly. The bed 1 includes a head end 210, a footend 212, and first and second sides 214, 216 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.The head end 210 includes a head portion or head end portion 218 and ahead end edge 220 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5.

[0027] More specifically, the first arm segment 5 includes first andsecond ends 5 a and 5 b. Securing mechanism 6 is connected to the firstend 5 a of first arm segment 5 through the articulating joint 7. Withreference to FIG. 7, the securing mechanism 6 and articulating joint 7are shown with more specificity. More particularly, the securingmechanism 6 takes the form of a downturned channel section 15 having atop wall 15 a and two side walls 15 b and 15 c. The forward end 15 d ofchannel section 15 has fixedly secured thereto a plate 16. A pair oflocating pins 35 on the aft side of plate 16 serve to locate the plate16 against supporting bed structure, the operation of which will besubsequently described. Approximately one-third of the way from the aftend 15 e of the channel section 15 toward the forward end 15 d there isa drawlatch assembly 20 for securing the channel section 15 and plate 16to a hospital bed 1.

[0028] More particularly, as seen in FIG. 7, the drawlatch assembly 20includes a mounting plate 21 which is fixedly secured to the sidewalls15 b and 15 c of the channel section 15. A downturned generally channelsection-shaped mounting bracket 22 has a top wall 22 a and sidewalls 22b and 22 c as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. Top wall 22 a is secured to themounting plate 21 with bolts 23 and nuts 24. A drawlatch 25 includessubstantially identical halves 25 a and 25 b, the aft ends of each ofwhich are pinned to the respective sidewalls 22 b and 22 c of mountingbracket 22 via pins 26. A threaded collar 27 is rotatably securedbetween drawlatch halves 25 a and 25 b as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7.Threaded hole 28 of collar 27 is threaded to mateably accept thethreaded end 29 of rod 30, the other end of which is formed into aU-shaped hook 31. U-shaped hook 31 is formed to curve around a torquetube 32 which forms a part of the support structure of bed 1, thespecifics of which will be described subsequently in more detail.Sidewalls 15 b and 15 c of channel section 15 similarly include U-shapedrelieved areas, one of which is shown at 33, to accommodate torque tube32 on the side opposite to that engaged by hook 31. The effective lengthof rod 30 between the drawlatch assembly 20 and the torque tube 32 maybe adjusted by rotating the rod 30 within the threaded collar 27 toeither shorten the distance between collar 27 and hook 31 or lengthenthe distance therebetween. When the desired distance is obtained, locknut 34 on rod 30 is tightened against the collar 27 to prevent anysubsequent inadvertent rotation of rod 30 with respect to the collar 27.

[0029] With reference to FIG. 5, the communication and control device 3is shown being mounted to the bed 1. The plate 16 abuts the headboardside of transverse support 40, the support 40 including a pair of holes41, 41 for receiving the pair of pins 35, 35 located on the mountingplate 16. Hook 31 is positioned underneath and aft of the torque tube32, and with reference to FIG. 4, the drawlatch 25 is snapped upwardlyto cam the hook 31 of rod 30 against the aft side of torque tube 32 andthe aft side of plate 16 against the forward side of transverse support40, thereby securing bed support structure 32 and 40 therebetween.

[0030] Referring back to FIG. 7, and describing now the joint 7 withmore particularity, end 5 a of first arm segment 5 is fixedly secured toa pivot barrel 45 which rotates in a bushing 46 which is press fittedwithin a circular opening in plate 16. In order to adjust the rotationalstiffness of joint 7, aft end 45 a of the pivot barrel 45 is disposedwithin a band brake assembly or adjustable clamp 47 which takes the formof a circular split band or collar or first and second clamping portions48 secured to the sidewalls 15 b and 15 c of channel section 15 withscrews 49. Tabs 50 are located on either side of the split 48 a in theband 48, one of which is threaded to accept screw or adjustmentmechanism 50 a for adjusting the relative tightness of the band 48 aboutthe pivot barrel 45. A screw 51 in aft end 45 a of the pivot barrel 45serves as a mechanical stop, preventing the pivot barrel 45 fromslipping forwardly out of the band brake assembly 47 and also limitingthe rotational travel of the arm segment 5 to approximately 180 degrees(90 degrees to either side of vertical); a dimple (not shown) is formedin both of the sidewalls 15 b and 15 c of the channel section 15 forcontact by the screw 51 in the extrememost positions of the arm segment5 (+and−90 degrees from vertical).

[0031] Referring back to FIG. 2, it will be seen that end 8 a of secondarm segment 8 is connected to end 5 b of first arm segment 5 via joint9. Referring now to FIG. 8, joint 9 as illustrated there in explodedform for clarity. Referring first to end 5 b of first arm segment 5, aswivel collar 55 includes matching collar halves 55 a and 55 b.Referring to collar half 55 b, it has a semicircular portion 55 c which,when mated with the similar portion of collar half 55A, forms a tubularportion. Collar half 55 b further includes a pair of longitudinalflanges 55 d, 55 d. A transverse flange 55 e is located on the upper endof the collar half 55 b. The semicircular portion 55 c and the matchingportion of collar half 55 a are adapted to accept a stem 56 of a yokeand stem assembly 57. Connected to the upper end of stem 56 is a yoke58. Swivel collar halves 55 a and 55 b fit within the end 5 b of firstarm segment 5. Holes 59 in the flanges 55 d are tapped to acceptthreaded screws 60 which are inserted through clearance holes 61 in end5 b of first arm segment 5. Tightening of the screws 60 tightens theswivel collar 55 about the stem 56 of the stem and yoke assembly 57 andthereby adjusts the rotational stiffness of the joint 9 when rotatingabout an axis which is generally collinear with the first arm segment 5.

[0032] The joint 9 further includes means providing a second pivot axisfor allowing second arm segment 8 to pivot relative to first arm segment5 about an axis which is generally perpendicular to the longitudinaldimension of the first arm segment 5. A brake band assembly 65 isfixedly secured to end 8 a of arm segment 8. The brake band assembly 65is similar to the band brake assembly 47 of joint 7 describedpreviously, in that there is a split band or collar 66 which includestabs 67, one of which is located on either side of a split 66, and oneof which is threaded for accepting screw 68 for tightening of the band66. A pair of hubs 69 are fixedly secured to the sides 58 a of yoke 58and serve as a rotational connection between yoke 58 and the split band66.

[0033] More specifically, each hub 69 includes an inwardly facingcylindrical portion 70 which fits relatively snugly within the insidediameter of split band 66. Each hub 69 includes a shoulder 71 which isfitted against the side of the split band 66 when assembling the hubsthereinto. Further, each hub 69 includes a vertically oriented slot 72which is slightly wider than the width of the sides 58 a of the yoke 58.The sides 58 a of the yoke 58 are slipped through the slots 72 of thehubs 69 for securing the hubs 69 to the stem and yoke assembly 57. Thesides 58 a of the yoke 58 include notches 73 which cooperate withinwardly facing tabs 74 within the hubs 69 (FIG. 9) for securing them onto the sides 58 a of the yoke 58. Upper and lower decorative shrouds 75and 76 may be secured to arm segment 8 as with screws 77 (FIG. 2).

[0034] In order to route electrical wiring cable or electrical connector80 (FIG. 2) through first arm segment 5, through joint 9, and on throughsecond arm segment 8 and ultimately to communication and control module11. First and second arm segments 5, 8 and articulating joints 7, 9 haveinterconnected hollow interiors as shown, for example, in FIGS. 7-10.More specifically, split band 66 of the brake band assembly 65 includesa circumferential slot 81 which allows cable 80 to be routed through thejoint 9 rather than around the joint 9, while still allowing for maximumrelative rotation between second arm segment 8 and first arm segment 5.Referring particularly to FIG. 9A, second arm segment 8 is illustratedin its extrememost rotational positions relative to first arm segment 5.As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A, it will be seen that the circumferentialslot 81 accommodates full rotation of arm segment 8 relative to armsegment 5, while allowing the cable 80 to be substantially locatedwithin the joint 9 at the point where it spans between arm segment 5 andarm segment 8, rather than having to route the cable 80 around the joint9 as is done in many prior art electrical devices which employ pivotingarms, such as reading lamps and the like. Such a novel joint mechanismcreates a sleek, streamlined joint and avoids the bunching of wire, andensuing tangling thereof, as is exhibited in many prior art electricaldevices employing pivoting arms.

[0035] Referring now back to FIG. 2, end 10 a of third flexible armsegment 10 is fixedly secured to end 8 b of second arm segment 8 as byscrews 85. Arm 10 is of the flexible “gooseneck” type which allowscontrol module 11 to be flexed about an axis which is generallyperpendicular to the longitudinal dimension of second arm segment 8within a circumference of 360 degrees.

[0036] End 10 b of third flexible arm segment 10 is connected to collar11 a of the communication and control module 11. Articulating joint 12takes the form of a swivel elbow 90. Swivel elbow 90 allows thecommunication and control module 11 to rotate 360 degrees about an axiswhich is generally collinear with the longitudinal axis of the swivelelbow 90 at its connection to the collar 11 a of the module 11.

[0037] Referring now to FIG. 3, the communication and control module 11is shown in greater detail. The module includes a number ofcommunication and control functions with corresponding LED indicatorlights. These functions include nurse call 95, adjust bed 96, adjustmattress 97, reading light 98, TV channel 99, phone 100, phone status101, and retained voice 102. Preferably, the bed adjust function 96would be operable to adjust the height of the bed, the orientation ofthe bed (for example, Trendelenburg and reverse Trendelenburg) and bedconfiguration (for example, chair position). The adjust mattressfunction 96 would preferably be operable to adjust the relative firmnessof, for example, an air inflatable type mattress.

[0038] The module 11 further includes a microphone or receiver 103 forreceiving voice commands from a patient. Preferably the module 11further includes an alpha numeric display 104 which would be operable todisplay, for example, a menu of sub functions once one of the majorfunctions 95-102 is selected.

[0039] With reference to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an interface box110 which is used in conjunction with the communication and controldevice 3 of the present invention. The interface box 110 is of course inelectrical communication with module 11 by virtue of being connectedtherewith via cable 80, and houses the associated electronics whichcondition the electrical signals generated by the functions 95-102 androute them to their various associated devices. The box 110 includes atransverse beam structure 111 from which depends a relatively thinrectangular electronics box 112. Along the lower edge of the box 112 area plurality of male electrical connectors 113 for connection to aplurality of female electrical connectors 114 and associated cable. Atopposed transverse ends of the beam structure 111 are a pair of posts115, 115 and a pair of square sockets 116, 116, the use of which will besubsequently described.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that when the device 3is installed on the bed 1, the forward end 45 b of pivot barrel 45extends forwardly from the head end edge of the bed by a small amount.Raising and lowering of the head end of the bed 1 would result in theforward end 45 b of the pivot barrel 45 coming into undesirable contactwith the headboard 120 (FIG. 5) when the headboard 120 is in its normallocation.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 5, on lower supporting structure 121 of bed1 there are illustrated two pairs of posts, one pair of which isdesignated by the numerals 122, 122, and the other of which isdesignated by the numerals 123, 123. The pair 122, 122 is adapted toreceive receptacles 124, 124 of headboard 120 when hospital bed 1 isconventionally operated without the device 3. Due to the projecting end45 b of the pivot barrel 45, however, the headboard 120 must be movedforward by a sufficient distance to allow clearance between headboard120 and end 45 b of pivot barrel 45 when moving the head portion of thebed up and down. Accordingly, posts 115, 115, of interface box 110(FIGS. 5 and 6) are utilized to place receptacles 124, 124 of headboard120 thereon in order to support the headboard 120 in a forwardlyadjusted position when a bed 1 is so retrofitted with the device 3. Thesquare sockets 116, 116 fit over posts 123, 123 which conventionallyemploy sockets for the insertion of IV poles (not shown) therein. Thumbscrews 125 provide for securing the interface box 110 to the posts 123,123, the open ended nature of the square sockets allowing the IV polesocket posts 123, 123 to be utilized conventionally with IV poles.

[0042] The structural components of the present invention, for examplearm segments, securing mechanism and interface box are preferablyfabricated of steel. Rotating supports such as the swivel collar, hubsand bushing are preferably fabricated of a crystalline resin material,such as that marketed under the trademark “DELRIN” (trademark of DuPont)or “CELCON” (trademark of Celanese).

[0043] In use, interface box 110 is placed atop posts 123, 123 ofsupport structure 121. Headboard 120 is then placed atop posts 115, 115of the interface box 110. Thumb screws 125 are tightened to secure thebox 110 to the posts 123, 123. The open top nature of the square sockets116, 116 allows a care provider to utilize the IV pole sockets of theposts 123, 123 for insertion of IV poles therein if so desired.

[0044] The communication and control device 3 is installed onto the bed1. The pair of pins 35, 35 on plate 16 are indexed into the pair ofholes 41, 41 of transverse support 40 while hook 31 of the securingmechanism 6 is secured around torque tube 32. Drawlatch 25 of thedrawlatch assembly 20 is then cammed upwardly, thus effecting relativemovement between the hook 31 and plate 16 securely fastening the same onopposed sides of the transverse support 40 and torque tube 32.

[0045] Appropriate connections are then made between module 11 and box110 by connecting cable 80 therebetween, and connectors 114 areconnected to connectors 113 of box 110 thereby connecting the deviceelectronics to various other devices to be controlled with module 11.

[0046] The device 3 may then freely be adjusted to any position which isaccommodating to a patient situated atop the bed 1 or recreating besidethe bed, for example in a chair (not shown). First, the first armsegment 5 is rotatably adjustable by virtue of joint 7 about an axiswhich is approximately parallel to a plane defined by the head endportion of the bed 1, through an angle of approximately a 180 degrees.Second, second arm segment 8 is adjustable relative to first arm segment5 about two axes, one of which is generally perpendicular to alongitudinal dimension of the first arm segment 5 and generally parallelto the plane defined by the head end portion of the bed, the other ofwhich is generally collinear with a longitudinal axis of the first arm5. Third, flexible arm segment 10 may be adjusted to many differentconfigurations relative to second arm segment 8. Lastly, module 11 canbe rotated 360 degrees about an axis which is generally collinear withthe end of the gooseneck arm 10 which connects to the module 11 byvirtue of joint 12.

[0047] The communication and control module 11 could be modified and/orsupplemented with other controls. For example, the LEDs on the module 11could incorporate either pressure sensitive type switches or conductiveswitches in order to make the module 11 more versatile, that is toaccommodate both voice activation and push-button or touch sensitiveactivation. Further, other types of switches 126 (FIG. 2) could be usedin conjunction with the device of the present invention, such as the“sip and puff” type, pillow type, tongue type and eyebrow type actuatedswitch devices.

[0048] The communication and control device of the present inventioncannot only accommodate various positions to suit a patient situatedatop a hospital bed, but could as well be positioned for use by apatient not situated atop the bed, but positioned adjacent the bed, forexample when recreating in a chair. Further, device 3 of the presentinvention may be compactly folded for transport, etc., by rotating firstarm segment 5 to a position generally parallel to the front side of thehead end portion of the bed and rotating second arm, segment 8 to aposition generally parallel to the side of the head end portion of thebed. In addition, the device 3 of the present invention could be used onother types of patient supports other than beds, for examplewheelchairs, gurneys and the like.

[0049] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerousadaptations and modifications which can be made to the present inventionand which will result in an improved communication and control device,yet all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention as defined by the following claims. Accordingly, the inventionis to be limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A bed assembly comprising: a bed having a footend and a head end that moves relative to the foot end, a voicerecognition communication and control device including an arm and avoice recognition communication and control module, the arm having afirst portion coupled to the module and a second portion coupled to thehead end of the bed so that the voice recognition communication andcontrol module and arm move with the head end of the bed and can bemoved relative to the head end of the bed.
 2. The bed assembly of claim1, wherein the control device further includes a securing mechanismconfigured to couple the arm to the head end of the bed.
 3. The bedassembly of claim 2, wherein the arm further includes an articulatingjoint coupled to the securing mechanism.
 4. The bed assembly of claim 3,wherein the securing mechanism includes an adjustable clamp surroundingthe articulating joint.
 5. The bed assembly of claim 4, wherein theadjustable clamp includes first and second clamping portions and anadjustment mechanism configured to provide relative movement between thefirst and second clamping portions.
 6. The bed assembly of claim 3,wherein the control device further includes a mechanical stop coupled tothe articulating joint and the mechanical stop cooperates through thesecuring mechanism to limit movement of the arm relative to the securingmechanism.
 7. The bed assembly of claim 1, wherein the arm is anarticulating arm.
 8. The bed assembly of claim 7, wherein thearticulating arm includes a first arm segment having a first end coupledto the head end of the bed and a second end, a second arm segment havinga first end and a second end, a first articulating joint coupled to thefirst end of the first arm segment and to the head end of the bed, and asecond articulating joint coupled to the second end of the first armsegment and the first end of the second arm segment.
 9. The bed assemblyof claim 8, wherein the first articulating joint permits the first armsegment to rotate about a first axis of rotation and the secondarticulating joint permits the second arm segment to rotate relative tothe first arm segment about a second axis of rotation.
 10. The bedassembly of claim 9, wherein the first arm segment extends along alongitudinal axis and the first axis of rotation is generallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the first arm segment.
 11. Thebed assembly of claim 9, wherein the second articulating joint permitsthe second arm segment to rotate relative to the first arm segment abouta third axis of rotation.
 12. The bed assembly of claim 11, wherein thethird axis of rotation is generally collinear with the longitudinal axisof the first arm segment.
 13. The bed assembly of claim 9, wherein thearticulating arm further includes a third articulating joint coupled tothe second end of the second arm segment and the control module topermit the control module to rotate relative to the second arm segmentabout a third axis of rotation.
 14. The bed assembly of claim 13,wherein the articulating arm further includes a third arm segmentextending between the second arm segment and the third articulatingjoint.
 15. The bed assembly of claim 14, wherein the third arm segmentis flexible.
 16. The bed assembly of claim 8, wherein the first armsegment extends along a longitudinal axis and the second axis ofrotation is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thefirst arm segment.
 17. The bed assembly of claim 8, wherein the controlapparatus further includes a securing mechanism configured to couple thearticulating arm to the head end of the bed.
 18. The bed assembly ofclaim 17, wherein the securing mechanism includes an adjustable clamphaving first and second clamping portions which each surround a portionof the first articulating joint and an adjustment mechanism configuredto provide relative movement between the first and second clampingportions to adjust the pressure applied by the adjustable clamp to thefirst articulating joint.
 19. The bed assembly of claim 18, wherein thefirst articulating joint has a larger diameter than the first end of thearticulating arm to provide a larger clamping surface area to reduce theclamping force required by the adjustable clamp.
 20. The bed assembly ofclaim 18, wherein the first and second arm segments and the first andsecond articulating joints have interconnected hollow interiors and anelectrical connector extends through these hollow interiors.
 21. The bedassembly of claim 1, wherein the bed further includes a first side and asecond side and the arm is movable from a first position in which thevoice recognition communication and control module extends over the bedbetween the first and second sides and a second position in which thevoice recognition communication and control module extends outwardlybeyond one of the first and second sides of the bed so that the voicerecognition communication and control module is accessible from a chairlocated beside the bed.
 22. A bed assembly comprising: a bed including asupport; an arm having a first end and a second end, the first endcoupled to the support; and a housing coupled to the second end of thearm, the housing carrying a voice recognition communication and controlmodule.
 23. The bed assembly of claim 22, wherein the voice recognitioncommunication and control module includes pressure sensitive switches.24. The bed assembly of claim 22, wherein the voice recognitioncommunication and control module includes conductive switches.
 25. Thebed assembly of claim 22, wherein the voice recognition communicationand control module includes sip and puff switches.
 26. The bed assemblyof claim 22, wherein the voice recognition communication and controlmodule includes pillow switches.
 27. The bed assembly of claim 22,wherein the voice recognition communication and control module includestongue activated switches.
 28. The bed assembly of claim 22, wherein thevoice recognition communication and control module includes eyebrowactuated switches.
 29. The bed assembly of claim 22, wherein the arm isconfigured to move the housing relative to the support.
 30. The bedassembly of claim 22, wherein the bed further comprises a head portionincluding the support, and the head portion is movable between a downposition and an up position.
 31. The bed assembly of claim 22, whereinthe support comprises a lower supporting structure, and a head portionof the bed is movable relative to the lower supporting structure betweena down position and an up position.
 32. A bed assembly comprising: a bedincluding a head end and a foot end; an arm having a first end and asecond end, the first end coupled to the head end of the bed; a voicerecognition communication and control module coupled to the second endof the arm; an interface interposed in electrical communication betweenthe voice recognition communication and control module and a device; andwherein the device is movable between an actuated condition and anon-actuated condition in response to a signal from the voicerecognition communication and control module.
 33. The bed assembly ofclaim 32, wherein the device calls a nurse when the device is actuated.34. The bed assembly of claim 32, wherein the device at least one ofturns on and off a light when the device is actuated.
 35. The bedassembly of claim 32, wherein the device at least one of turns on andoff a television when the device is actuated.
 36. The bed assembly ofclaim 32, wherein the device at least one of places and receivestelephone calls when the device is actuated.
 37. The bed assembly ofclaim 32, wherein the device adjusts the height of the bed when thedevice is actuated.
 38. The bed assembly of claim 32, wherein the deviceadjusts the configuration of the bed when the device is actuated. 39.The bed assembly of claim 32, wherein the device adjusts the position ofa mattress when the device is actuated.
 40. The bed assembly of claim32, wherein the interface is enclosed in an interface box fixed to thebed.